Travel company announces 'all future holidays cancelled' with immediate effect
The British travel company has ceased all trading
All future holidays planned and booked by the company have been cancelled
(Image: GETTY )
Travel firm Balkan Holidays has announced it will be closing with immediate effect. Customers who had holidays planned through the travel company will be notified and refunded in due course.
However, people currently on a holiday planned through the company do not need to cut their trip short. A spokesperson for the company confirmed: 'We regret to inform you that Balkan Holidays Ltd has as of 24th of April 2025, closed for business in the UK.
'Clients currently on holiday will be unaffected. The company remains solvent, but has ceased trading, however all forward holiday bookings have been cancelled.
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'All clients will be notified and refunded in full. May we kindly ask for patience as we process the refunds and appreciate your understanding. Thank you for your past business and please accept our most sincere apologies for the disappointment and inconvenience."
Bookings due to take place before June 1 will be handed over to Trafalgar Travel according to the Sun. Manager Charlie Coyle told the outlet: "As you can imagine this has been very difficult for staff at this time, however we all remain 100% committed to ensuring a very smooth transfer of bookings to another agency.'
Customers that booked directly with the company are encouraged to email the operator for their refund using refunds@balkanholidays.co.uk. People who booked through a travel agent will need to contact this third party to get their money back.
Holidays with the earliest departure dates will be prioritised in this process so holidaymakers still have a chance of salvaging their getaway plans. Disgruntled customers took to social media to share their frustrations and sympathies.
Some shared their past memories of excellent service with the companies and others admitted they were 'gutted' by the news. One upset client added: 'Absolutely devastated - we WERE going in 36 days time! How are we meant to book anywhere now at this notice.'
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The industry has reacted to the sudden news as well, with Gary Lewis, chief executive of The Travel Network Group telling Travel Weekly it was a "heartbreaking" announcement. He added: "It's sad for the industry to see the loss of a strong specialist operator. The fact that they have taken responsible action to close their doors while still solvent to ensure partners do not lose money is really commendable.'
The company specialised in trips to the Balkan region of Europe including Bulgaria, Croatia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Malta and Northern Cyprus. The award-winning establishment had won awards for its performance in the past, and served around 130,000 holidaymakers in just one year in its prime.
Balkan Holidays also offered departures from 17 UK airports, more than any other tour operator in the UK. Its closure follows Jetline Holidays' shut down last month which affected 5,000 holidaymakers.
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